Heavens!!!!!

Check out Heavens a new band with Matt Skiba from the Alkaline Trio

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Another way to discriminate

While we're on the topic of discrimination, let's talk about mental illness, shall we? (Don't you love how I always parlay it into that?)

When you use the label "mentally ill" you are holding that person back. It comes with a great stigma attached and people (more often than not) immediately discriminate, having a preconceived idea of what that person is all about. The same is true for minorities, particularly Mexicans and Middle Easterners right now. We give them names like "spics" and "towel heads" and pidgeonhole them into a set role in society without getting to know the individual for their gifts and talents. Again, the same can be said for the mentally ill: that they are crazy, unstable, whackos . . . you name it.

If I were to go to a job interview and have "mentally ill" or "bipolar" tattooed on my forehead, or if that classification were denoted by, say, the color of my skin, I doubt they would be as eager to hire me as another applicant. They might envision me as someone liable to snap, to break under pressure, to be just plain weird and difficult to deal with.

For my case, I keep my illness a secret. All my boss knows is that I have a chronic illness that requires frequent doctor's appointments. I am lucky to be able to keep it under wraps, to prevent myself from being labeled, but what about a person of another race? They can't hide it, and it becomes difficult throughout their entire lives to keep from being stereotyped and discriminated against.

I dislike affirmative action as much as the next person, but consider this: I have the Americans with Disabilities Act to protect me against workplace and educational discrimination. In fact, without it, I wouldn't have been able to graduate college. That's protecting people like me; what about them? Yes, they can file lawsuits if it happens, and they usually end up winning. But what is in place to prevent an employer or academic administrator from discriminating in the first place? Affirmative Action.

I don't think it's perfect; it is far from it. I agree that it sometimes keeps more qualified people from getting jobs or being accepted into schools. I agree that it doesn't address the root problem. But it does have its merits and it is useful. Let's be honest: in America, white people ARE more advantaged. That's the way it's always been. But because so many minorities are kicked around their entire lives, why not allow them their leg up?

Affirmative In Action

Here's a topic that has yet to be discussed too heavily on this here blog. I saw a recent news story that reminded me how I feel about it. I hate affirmative action. Basically it says: "We've done so many things wrong in the past. Nobody is forward-thinking enough to figure out a solution to make up for all that, so instead we're just going to screw the half that haven't been screwed yet. That way, everyone has been equally screwed." What a load of crap.

I can't say I have been the victim of discrimination directly, so this isn't a personal issue for me. Still, I get pissed when any preferential treatment is given to anyone based on race, class, or gender of people. Especially when it is my government laying down the red carpet. Some people water down the definition of affirmative action, as if it will seem socially acceptable with new words surrounding it. It's still giving preferential treatment, or consideration to a person based on factors that have nothing to do with their employment/scholarship/acceptance. That's called discrimination.

Friend situation

I have this friend who is divorcing her piece of crap husband and has moved back to Utah. Her job fell through, so now she's jobless and basically homeless. I've directed her to a good job website, but I feel like I should invite her to stay at my house for a few days. My parents are out of town for a few weeks so I wouldn't have to ask them, and we have a spare bedroom and bath. But for some reason I'm hesitant about this. It's the Christian thing to do, but something doesn't feel right. What should I do, if anything?

WOW!!! WOW!!! WOW!!!

I saw this video, and instantly thought of Jeremy.

Break.com video

Thursday, which is tomorrow, do stuff?

We'd like to ask if anyone is available to come see the pad tomorrow night. I'm talking about the casa Estroman, not a sleeping pad, or a maxi... nevermind. I should have asked a couple days ago, but oh well. It's the only night we have free. Speaking of Maxi... Aaron said he may not be able to come tomorrow, so if no one else can, then it can be moved to another week. We'll get pizzas, and play some games. 7-9 so it won't be too late. Post if you can or can't.

Congrats Scotty!

No, not on starting medical school, on getting a new apple. Indulge me for a moment to spew forth a little propaganda. I'm sure to get someone's blood flowing. I don't know why, but owning an Apple is like a religion, so I feel compelled to write.

The Mac is the BEST computer for 95% of the people in the world. How can I say this? Because the VAST majority of people don't care about the 1's and 0's of their computer, they just want it to do what they ask. Some people even want their computer to do what they ask WELL, and do it intuitively, and stylishly (I am one of those people). There are billions more people running windows, consequently more applications, more support, and a larger knowledge base for programming. Those are negatives for sure. BUT home consumer experienc is MUCH higher with a Mac, it's just as fast with the same chips from Intel, and now it can run windows side-by-side with it's own Mac OS X operating system. The best of both worlds.

I'm on a computer everyday like 95% of the people out there. I run 8-10 different programs simultaneously everyday like 95% of the people out there. I am not a programmer, and I don't want to customize my computer on a code-level like 95% of the people out there. That's why I say, from my experience, 95% of the people out there don't know what they're missing.

Here's some words from Technology experts (not Macheads like myself, these are PC users):
“Want to see what the future of personal computing looks like?” asks Computerworld’s Michael Gartenberg. “Don’t wait for Microsoft to show you; go out and get yourself a copy of Apple’s latest operating system release. It’s that good.”

“The best and most advanced personal computer operating system on the market at any price.” — Walt Mossberg

"Can revolutionize the way you go about your computer business.” — Eric Convey

Plus, I have stock in Apple, so I want you to buy one. (The screenshot above is a new feature in the OS called Time Machine. It lets you go back in time day-by-day or hour-by-hour to get unsaved or lost files. It's built into the OS and works seamlessly.)

Question for Sam

Here's an Adobe Illustrator question for you. How do I save my new graphic styles and colors? I've created new workspaces, but that's not doing it. What do I do?

Five shows you should be watching.

Here is my list of 5 shows you should be (but probably aren't) watching.

1. Battlestar Galactica - The top Sci-Fi series since Babylon 5 and Deep Space Nine were on air. New season starts Oct 7!

2. Veronica Mars - Very well done. Joss Whedon's favorite show!

3. Flavor of Love - Ok - you really shouldn't be watching this, but it sure is a good guilty pleasure.

4. Crocodile Hunter - I'm gonna miss Steve Irwin

5. Space Ghost Coast to Coast - The precursor to Adult Swim on Cartoon Network. The writers had to be quite witty to be funny. An example exchange:

Space Ghost: Yeah right. Adam, love is the universal language, and seeing as I'm not from your universe, I need your help. Will my relationship with Merrill suffer because of our differing gravitational backgrounds?

Adam Carolla: No, uh, although I don't believe your refractory period is quite as long in the absence of gravity.

Space Ghost: Refractory period...

Adam Carolla: I believe even superheroes have refractory periods, don't they?

Space Ghost: Mm. (flies off to control room)

(in control room, Moltar watches a computer generated program of himself and Space Ghost on his monitor)

Moltar: (laughing at program)

Space Ghost: What's a refractory period?

Moltar: (perturbed) I'll show ya later.

(In the studio)

Space Ghost: (bounds back to desk) Maybe you should explain what you're talking about to some of our less sophisticated viewers.

Something I will never get to experience

Everyone has a certain "something" they would like to experience in their lives.

For some it is a trip to Europe, to Hawaii, etc.

For me, it was the Australia Zoo to see Steve Irwin.

I know it sounds a bit odd, but I really wanted to go see one of his performances. It probably would have been a 30 minute croc feeding, but I would have loved it.

It's sad to see someone with so much love and chrisma pass away.

Dates

So I'm looking for fun stuff to do on dates. Doesn't have to be expensive . . . just fun. Any ideas?

Summer Pictures